Whole home humidification recycling pump

ABSTRACT

One or more methods and apparatuses are provided for liquid recycling for air handling equipment. An apparatus comprises a reservoir configured to store a liquid. The apparatus comprises a switch positioned relative to the reservoir. The switch is configured to selectively activate or deactivate a valve. The valve is configured to fill the reservoir with the liquid when activated. The apparatus comprises a pump positioned inside the reservoir. The pump is configured to pump the liquid from the reservoir into a humidifier when activated.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application, titled “WHOLE HOME HUMIDIFICATION RECYCLING PUMP,” filed on Oct. 20, 2019 and accorded Application No.: 62/923,581, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Various types of air handling equipment are capable of generating and providing humidity for indoor spaces, such as a standalone humidifier or a forced hot air furnace with a humidifier. Humidifiers are commonly used in connection with forced hot air furnaces in order to add moisture to the air that the forced hot air furnaces have heated, which may otherwise have low moisture content. Increasing the humidity of air being blown by the a forced hot air furnace into a living space can help prevent dry skin, dry throats and nasal passages, which can otherwise lead to susceptibility to illness such as viruses.

A forced hot air furnace may comprise a blower that causes air of an indoor space to be sucked into the forced hot air furnace through duct work, which is then blown past a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger will then heat the air, which is blown into the indoor space, such as a building or home. A typical humidifier adds additional moisture to the air (airstream) after the air has been reheated for recirculation to the indoor space. This moisture is added by either exposing a water-soaked filter to the airstream for evaporation of the water into the air or by spraying a mist of water droplets into the airstream. The moisturized air is then blown/circulated throughout the indoor space.

In an example of a humidifier, the humidifier is connected to a power source for the furnace blower so that the humidifier is powered whenever the blower is powered. This type of humidifier is thus energized, similar to the furnace, for periods of time that increase as temperature decreases.

However, the dehumidifier may lack a humidistat. In order to avoid the introduction of excessive moisture into the air at these low temperatures, this humidifier must be undersized in terms of its moisture production per unit time operation. Accordingly, the humidifier will therefore not produce a desirable high humidity levels at higher atmospheric temperatures when the furnace is powered for short periods of time.

In another example of a humidifier, the humidifier is associated with a humidistat. The humidistat may comprise a switch controlled by a relative humidity sensor. When the moisture in the air exceeds a set threshold (a relatively humidity setting) of the humidistat, the switch is opened to de-energize the humidifier. In an example, the relative humidity setting of the humidistat may be manually adjusted by a user, such as seasonally in relation to atmospheric temperature. Some humidistats may automatically set the relative humidity setting based upon atmospheric temperature settings. When the moisture in the air falls below the set threshold of the humidistat, then the switch is closed to energize the humidifier.

When a humidifier is activated, such as where the humidistat energies the humidifier into operation, a valve is opened to allow liquid (e.g., water) to flow from a top of a filter within the humidifier to a bottom of the filter, thus making the filter a water-soaked filter. As air flows through this water-soaked filter, humidity is added into the air. When the liquid reaches the bottom of the filter, the liquid exits the humidifier through an outlet to a drain tube, which may be connected to a drain/sewer. This liquid is waste liquid. Over the lifespan of the humidifier, a substantial amount of waste liquid may be created and disposed through the drain and into the sewer, which can be expensive due to the cost of water and not environmental friendly. Unfortunately, many humidifiers are only about 21% efficient, and thus the remaining 79% of liquid is waste liquid.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key factors or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an embodiment, an apparatus is provided for recycling liquid of air handling equipment, such as water of a humidifier associated with a furnace. The apparatus comprises a reservoir, such as a 5 sided container capable of holding liquid (e.g., a plastic container sized from between about 3 inches by 3 inches by 3 inches to about 10 inches by 10 inches by 5 inches) or a container of any other size, shape, or material. The reservoir may be positioned relative to a bottom side of the humidifier, such as below an outlet of the humidifier through which excess liquid is discharged/drained. In this way, the reservoir comprises a top opening into which the excess liquid can drain from the humidifier into the reservoir for recycling.

The apparatus comprises a switch positioned relative to the reservoir. For example, the switch may be attached by an attachment means to the inside of the reservoir, such as by a screw, adhesive, or other attachment means. The switch may be attached to an upper third portion of a side of the reservoir (e.g., positioned closer to the top opening than a bottom side of the reservoir). This allows the switch to not be fully submerged within liquid contained within the reservoir, which may improve reliability and lifespan of the switch, reduce potential leaks, and/or alleviate other issues compared to if the switch was located more towards the bottom side of the reservoir (e.g., where the switch could be submerged within liquid contained within the reservoir). It may be appreciated that the switch may be located anywhere with respect to the reservoir for detecting the presence of a certain amount of liquid within the reservoir (e.g., the switch may be activated/deactivated based upon whether the switch detects water at a certain level within the reservoir), and that any type of switch may be utilized (e.g., a float switch).

The apparatus may be associated with a valve (e.g., the apparatus may comprise the valve, or may be coupled to an existing valve not part of the apparatus). The switch may close to activate or open to deactivate the valve based upon whether the switch is activated or deactivated due to detecting or not detecting liquid. When the valve is activated by the switch (e.g., based upon the switch not detecting liquid, and thus additional liquid should be added into the reservoir), the valve fills the reservoir with liquid. For example, the valve may be connected to a water line, and the valve may open when activated to allow water from the water line to fill the reservoir and may close to stop the water from flowing into the reservoir when deactivated (e.g., based upon the switch detecting liquid, and thus the reservoir comprises an adequate amount of liquid such that no additional liquid is needed at the moment).

The apparatus may comprise a pump positioned inside the reservoir, such as positioned relative to the bottom side of the reservoir. The pump may be connected to a tube that is positioned relative to a distribution tray of the humidifier (e.g., the tube may be positioned such that liquid, pumped from the reservoir by the pump, can flow through the tube into the humidifier, such as into the distribution tray and down through a filter so that air flowing through the filter can be moisturized by the liquid within the filter). When the humidifier is activated (e.g., a humidistat provides a signal, such as to a relay, to activate the humidifier while the furnace is operational and humidity is below a set threshold), the pump is powered into an operational state for pumping the liquid from the reservoir into the humidifier.

The apparatus may comprise a relay. The relay may be configured to selectively activate the pump to pump the liquid from the reservoir into the humidifier in response to a signal indicating activate of the humidifier (e.g., a signal from the humidistat). The relay may be configured to provide power to the valve in response to the signal, such that the valve can fill the reservoir with liquid when the valve is activated by the switch. The signal may cause the relay to close, thus activating the pump and providing power to the valve. Because the excess liquid (waste liquid) from the humidifier is drained back into the reservoir instead of being drained into a drain/sewer as pure waste, the liquid can be recycled/reused and pumped back into the humidifier, thus improving the efficiency of the humidifier (e.g., providing 100% or close to 100% efficiency instead of merely 21% efficiency where 21% of the water is used to add moisture into air blown through the humidifier and 79% of the water is drained as pure waste water).

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the following description and annexed drawings set forth certain illustrative aspects and implementations. These are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which one or more aspects may be employed. Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the annexed drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an example method for liquid recycling for air handling equipment.

FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for liquid recycling for air handling equipment.

FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for liquid recycling for air handling equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The claimed subject matter is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are generally used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the claimed subject matter. It may be evident, however, that the claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are illustrated in block diagram form in order to facilitate describing the claimed subject matter.

Conventional humidifiers produce a substantial amount of waste. This is because only a fraction of the liquid that is used to add moisture into the air being blow through a humidifier is actually added as moisture into the air. The rest of the liquid is drained from the humidifier as waste liquid that may be drained into a sewer system. This in not environmentally friendly and can be costly due to the price of water. A humidifier may be at best 21% efficient, and thus 79% of water becomes waste water.

Accordingly, as provided herein, methods and/or apparatuses are provided for liquid recycling for air handling equipment. Instead of waste liquid draining from the humidifier into a drain/sewer, the waste liquid is drained into an apparatus, as provided herein. This apparatus is configured to pump the waste liquid back into the humidifier during operation of the humidifier. In this way, the efficiency of the humidifier is improved, such as up to 100% efficiency and utilization of liquid for adding moisture into air being blown through the humidifier. Improving the efficiency of the humidifier will reduce operational costs (e.g., the cost of water) and is more environmentally friendly.

One embodiment of liquid recycling for air handling equipment is illustrated by an exemplary method 100 of FIG. 1, and further described in conjunction with apparatus 200 of FIGS. 2A and 2B. An air handling system, such as a furnace 202 may be configured to heat air, and blow the air through duct work 206 into an indoor space, such as a building. A humidifier 208 may be associated with the furnace 202, as illustrated by FIG. 2A. For example, the humidifier 208 may be attached to the duct work 206 so that air will blow through the humidifier 208. A filter 211 may be installed within the humidifier 208. The filter 211 may comprise a mesh material or other type of material through which the air will flow. The filter 211 may comprise a distribution tray 210 with holes 212 through which liquid can flow down through the filter 211 to an outlet 214 of the humidifier 208. As air blows through the liquid soaked filter 211, moisture is added to the air. A humidistat 213 may be utilized to control operation of the humidifier 208. If the furnace 202 is operational (e.g., heating and blowing air through the duct work 206) and the humidity is below a set threshold humidity, then the humidistat may send a signal activating the humidifier 208.

The apparatus 200 comprises a reservoir 218 within which liquid 220, such as water, can be retained. The reservoir 218 may have various shapes (e.g., spherical, rectangular cube, square cube, etc.), sizes, and/or materials. In an example, the reservoir 218 may be sized between about 3 inches×3 inches×3 inches and about 10 inches×10 inches×5 inches, or any other size. In an example, the reservoir 218 may comprise one or more sides, such as 5 sides total, which is used to contain/store the liquid 220. The reservoir 218 may comprise a top opening 221 into which liquid 216 can drain from the outlet 214 of the humidifier 208 into the reservoir 218. Thus, the reservoir 218 may be positioned below the outlet 214 of the humidifier 208 in order to collect the liquid 216 from the humidifier 208 for recycling the liquid back into the humidifier 208.

The apparatus comprises a switch 226 that is positioned relative to the reservoir 218. Various types of switches may be utilized as the switch 226 for detecting a presence of liquid (e.g., detecting whether the reservoir 218 comprises a threshold amount of the liquid 220), such as a float switch. The switch 226 may be configurable attached to the reservoir 218, such as by a screw, a clamp, an adhesive, or other attachment means. In an example, the switch 226 may be attached to an upper third portion of a side of the reservoir 218 (e.g., attached at a location that is closer to the top opening 221 than a bottom side of the reservoir 218 such as where a pump 224 is located. The switch 226 may be configured to selectively activate or deactivate a valve 228. If the switch 226 detects liquid (e.g., there is a threshold amount of liquid 220 within the reservoir 218), then the switch 226 may deactivate the valve 228. If the switch 226 does not detect liquid, then the switch 226 may activate the valve 228.

The valve 228 is connected to a water supply line 230. The valve 228 is connected to one end of an output tube 232. The other end of the output tube 232 is positioned relative to the reservoir 218 so that liquid 222 from the water supply line 230 can be filled into the reservoir 218 through the output tube 232. When the valve 228 is deactivated by the switch 226, the valve 228 is closed and no liquid from the water supply line 230 can flow through the output tube 232 into the reservoir 218. When the valve 228 is activated by the switch 226, the valve 228 is opened so that liquid 222 from the water supply line can flow through the output tube 232 into the reservoir 218 to fill the reservoir 218 until the switch 226 detects liquid and deactivates the valve 228. In an example, the valve 228 may be located outside of the reservoir 218. In an example, an existing valve previously utilized to provide liquid to the humidifier 208 is utilized as the valve 228, and thus the apparatus 200 does not need to include the valve 228, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, the apparatus 200 comprises the valve 228.

The apparatus 200 comprise a pump 224. The pump 224 may be positioned inside the reservoir 218 so that the pump 224 is submerged within the liquid 220. The pump 224 may be connected to one end of a pump output tube 234. The other end of the pump output tube 234 may be positioned near the distribution tray 210 of the humidifier 208 so that liquid 220 pumped by the pump 224 through the pump output tube 234 can be pumped into the distribution tray 210 and down through the holes 212 and through the filter 211 for adding moisture to air being blown through the filter 211 by the furnace 202. The pump 224 is configured to pump the liquid 220 when activated, such as by a relay 242.

The apparatus 200 may be associated with an outlet component 238. In an embodiment, the apparatus 200 comprises the outlet component 238. In another embodiment, the apparatus does not comprise the outlet component 238, but is coupled to an existing relay and outlet. The outlet component 238 comprises an outlet 240 into which a power cable of the pump 224 is connected. The outlet component 238 comprises the relay 242. When the relay 242 receives a signal from the humidistat 213 that the humidifier 208 is to be activated, the relay 242 activates the outlet 240 to provide power to the pump 224 (e.g., the relay 242 closes) so that the pump 224 can pump the liquid 220 through the pump output tube 234 into the humidifier 208.

When the relay 242 no longer receives the signal (or receives an indication from the humidistat 213 that the humidifier 208 is to deactivate), then the relay 242 disables the outlet 240 from being able to provide power to the pump 224 (e.g., the relay 242 opens), thus stopping the operation of the pump 224. The relay 242 is configured to provide power to the valve 228 in response to receiving the signal that the humidifier 208 is to be activated into an operational state. Thus, the valve 228 can be activated by the switch 226 when the reservoir 218 is to be filled with liquid 222. In an example, the outlet component 238, such as the relay 242, is connected to a power source 204 of the furnace 202. In another example, the outlet component 238, such as the relay 242 is connected to a power source associated with the humidifier if the humidifier is a power humidifier. The switch 226, the relay 242, and/or the valve 228 may be connected to the power source 204 of the furnace 202 or a power source of the power humidifier. The 242 relay may be connected to the valve 228, the switch 226, and/or the outlet 240 connected to the pump 224 by a power cord. The switch 226 may be connected to the valve 228. The humidistat 213 may be connected to the switch 226 and/or the relay 242.

FIG. 2B illustrates a component diagram, such as a wiring diagram, for the apparatus 200. In an example, a connection line between two components may be a wire or cable. A humidistat 213 may be connected to a 24 volt power source 254, such as through a first connection line 250 and a second connection line 252. The first connection line 250 may connect to a sixth connection line 262 that is connected to the valve 228. The first connection line 250 may be connected to a fourth line 258 connected to the relay 242 within the outlet component 238. The second connection line 252 may be connected to a third connection line 256 connected to the relay 242 within the outlet component 238.

The valve 228 is connected to the switch 226 by a fifth connection line 260. The pump 224 is connected by a plug 268 of a power cord to the outlet 240 of the outlet component 238 by a seventh connection line 264 and an eighth connection line 266. The outlet component 238 may connect to a 120 volt power source 204 (e.g., the power source 204 of the furnace 202) using a plug. A neutral connection line 270 may be connected to the outlet 240. A ground connection line 272 and a neutral connection line 270 may be connected to the outlet 240. A hot connection line 274 may be connected to the relay 242, and the relay 242 may be connected to the outlet 240, and thus the hot connection line 274 may be connected/disconnected to the outlet 240 through the relay 242.

Returning to the method 100 of FIG. 1, the furnace 202 may activate into an operational state to heat air, and blow the heated air through the duct work 206. The humidistat 213 may determine that a current humidity level is below a set threshold, and thus the humidistat 213 may generate a signal indicating activation of the humidifier 208. At 102, the signal is received, such as by the relay 242. At 104, the relay 242 may close to activate the pump 224 to pump the liquid 220 within the reservoir 218 through the pump output tube 234 into the distribution tray 210 and down through the holes 212 and through the filter 211 for adding moisture to air being blown through the filter 211 by the furnace 202. Power may be provided to the pump 224 by the outlet 240 of the outlet component 238.

At 106, in response to the switch 226 activating (e.g., the switch 226 activating based upon not detecting liquid), the valve 228 is activated (e.g., opened to allow water to flow from the water supply line 230 through the output tube 232 into the reservoir 218) to fill the reservoir 218 with the liquid 222. At 108, in response to the switch 226 deactivating (e.g., the switch 226 deactivating based upon detecting liquid), the valve is deactivated (e.g., closed to stop the flow of water from the water supply line 230 through the output tube 232 into the reservoir 218) to stop the valve 228 from filling the reservoir 218 with the liquid 222. Excess liquid 216 from the outlet 214 of the humidifier 208 is received through the top opening 221 of the reservoir 218 for recycling the excess liquid 216 from the humidifier 208, as opposed to disposing/draining the excess liquid 216 as waste.

At 110, in response to receiving a second signal indicating deactivation of the humidifier 208 (e.g., the relay 242 receiving the second signal from the humidistat or the relay 242 detecting that the signal indicating activation of the humidifier 208 is no longer being provided by the humidistat 213), the relay 242 is opened to deactivate the pump 224 from pumping the liquid 220 within the reservoir 218 through the pump output tube 234 to the humidifier 208.

Further, unless specified otherwise, “first,” “second,” and/or the like are not intended to imply a temporal aspect, a spatial aspect, an ordering, etc. Rather, such terms are merely used as identifiers, names, etc. for features, elements, items, etc. For example, a first object and a second object generally correspond to object A and object B or two different or two identical objects or the same object.

Moreover, “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, illustration, etc., and not necessarily as advantageous. As used herein, “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. In addition, “a” and “an” as used in this application are generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Also, at least one of A and B and/or the like generally means A or B and/or both A and B. Furthermore, to the extent that “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”, and/or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising”.

Also, although the disclosure has been shown and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art based upon a reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. The disclosure includes all such modifications and alterations and is limited only by the scope of the following claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (e.g., elements, resources, etc.), the terms used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure. In addition, while a particular feature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a reservoir configured to store a liquid; a switch positioned relative to the reservoir, wherein the switch is configured to selectively activate or deactivate a valve configured to fill the reservoir with the liquid when activated; and a pump positioned inside the reservoir, wherein the pump is configured to pump the liquid from the reservoir into a humidifier when activated.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pump is connected to a tube that is positioned relative to a distribution tray of the humidifier.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is positioned relative to a bottom side of the humidifier.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the reservoir comprises a top opening into which excess liquid can drain from the humidifier.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the valve is positioned outside of the reservoir.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch is attached to a side of the reservoir.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the switch is attached to an upper third portion of a side of the reservoir.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a relay configured to selectively activate the pump to pump the liquid from the reservoir into the humidifier in response to a signal indicating activation of the humidifier.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a relay configured to provide power to the valve in response to a signal indicating activation of the humidifier, wherein the valve fills the reservoir with the liquid when activated by the switch.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a relay configured to close in response to a signal indicating activation of the humidifier, wherein closure of the relay cause the relay to activate the pump and power the valve.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the relay is comprised within an outlet component.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the relay is connected to a power source associated with air handling equipment.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the humidifier comprises a power humidifier, and wherein the relay is connected to a power source associated with the power humidifier.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the pump comprises a power cord plugged into the outlet component.
 15. A method, comprising: receiving a signal indicating activation of a humidifier; and in response to receiving the signal, closing a relay to activate a pump within a reservoir to pump liquid within the reservoir to the humidifier.
 16. The method of claim 15, comprising: in response to a switch activating, activating a valve to fill the reservoir with the liquid.
 17. The method of claim 16, comprising: in response to a switch deactivating, deactivating the valve to stop the valve from filling the reservoir with the liquid.
 18. The method of claim 15, comprising: receiving, through a top opening of the reservoir, excess liquid drained from the humidifier.
 19. The method of claim 15, comprising: providing power from an outlet component to the pump, wherein the relay is comprised within the outlet component.
 20. An apparatus comprising: a reservoir configured to store a liquid; a switch positioned relative to the reservoir, wherein the switch is configured to selectively activate or deactivate a valve; the valve configured to fill the reservoir with the liquid when activated; a pump positioned inside the reservoir, wherein the pump is configured to pump the liquid from the reservoir into a humidifier when activated; and a relay configured to: provide power to the valve in response to a signal indicating activation of the humidifier, wherein the valve fills the reservoir with the liquid when activated by the switch; selectively activate the pump to pump the liquid from the reservoir into the humidifier in response to the signal indicating activation of the humidifier; and selectively deactivate the pump in response to receiving a second signal indicating deactivation of the humidifier. 